The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has announced the end of the teachers’ strike. This decision comes after a crucial meeting with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The strike, which began on August 26, 2024, has been a topic of intense discussion across the country. Its conclusion marks a new chapter in the ongoing dialogue between teachers’ unions and the government.
The decision to end the strike
KUPPET’s Secretary General, Akelo Misori, addressed the press to announce the suspension of the strike. Here’s what you need to know:
- A tentative agreement was reached with the TSC
- Teachers are directed to resume their duties immediately
- Further discussions will take place to iron out remaining issues
Misori stated,
“We suspend our strike and ask all our teachers to go back to class pending the speedy resolutions of these matters as already agreed upon between us and the commission.”
What led to this decision?
The decision to call off the strike wasn’t made lightly. Several factors contributed:
1) Fruitful negotiations
2) Court order considerations
3) Government commitments
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia confirmed that the commission had held productive bi-partisan talks with KUPPET. These discussions were crucial in finding common ground and ending the work boycott.
Key agreements reached
The meeting between KUPPET and TSC resulted in several important agreements:
- CBA Implementation: The government has implemented most provisions of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
- Arrears settlement: All arrears related to the second phase of the CBA have been settled.
- Third-party deductions: Issues regarding the remittance of third-party deductions have been resolved.
- Medical scheme: The teachers’ medical scheme has been restored.
- Promotions: 51,232 teachers have been promoted.
- Junior Secondary School (JSS) Support: More resources have been allocated for retooling JSS teachers.
These agreements address many of the concerns that led to the strike in the first place.
Impact on students and schools
The week-long strike had begun to affect students:
- Primary school learners were sent home due to a lack of teachers
- Educational activities were disrupted in many schools
With the strike’s end, normalcy is expected to return to schools across Kenya. Students can now look forward to resuming their studies without further interruptions.
But for parents, the end of the strike caught them off-guard, and now have to hurry to find resources to take their kids back to school.
What’s next?
While the immediate crisis has been averted, there’s still work to be done:
- The government has pledged to address remaining issues
- KUPPET and TSC will continue discussions to fully resolve all concerns
- Teachers and students will need to work together to make up for lost time
Why this matters
The resolution of this strike is crucial for several reasons:
1) Educational Continuity: Students can now continue their education without further disruptions.
2) Teacher Welfare: The agreements reached address several key concerns of teachers.
3) Dialogue and Negotiation: This resolution demonstrates the power of constructive dialogue between unions and the government.
Final thoughts
The end of the KUPPET strike marks a positive step forward for Kenya’s education sector. While challenges remain, the willingness of both parties to negotiate and find common ground is encouraging.
As teachers return to their classrooms and students resume their studies, there’s hope for a more stable and productive educational environment. The coming weeks will be crucial in implementing the agreed-upon changes and ensuring that the needs of both teachers and students are met.
Let’s look forward to a brighter future for education in Kenya, where dialogue and mutual understanding pave the way for progress.